Study: Solar rooftop installations lag

While rooftop solar could meet nearly two-thirds of the state’s electricity needs, fewer than 2% of homeowners will install the systems, according to a report from Wisconsin State Journal. A report from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission found that current market conditions prevent many people from being able to install the systems because they can’t afford the upfront costs of solar panels, lack financing options, or don’t control their roofs. The report is the first in more than a decade and could help inform how regulators determine what utilities allow and how their customers are compensated for excess electricity. The report could also guide the allocation of resources within the state’s $100 million energy-saving program.